California Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra wants a better relationship with the Legislature. Good. CalMatters reports that Democratic lawmakers are tired of Gavin Newsom's habit of dropping major proposals on them near deadlines. Even a state government should be allowed to finish chewing before somebody shoves another bill in its mouth.

Becerra is meeting legislators, promising cooperation and bringing his own legislative experience to the job. That could genuinely improve things. I am prepared to enjoy a modestly functional meeting.

Now, what will they do?

Ah. We're still at the part where everyone compliments the meeting.

Becerra and the two legislative leaders haven't committed to concrete proposals on the major issues waiting in January. He objects to demands for commitments before he has the details, including budget projections. Sensible enough. You should read the numbers.

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But families dealing with housing costs, utility bills and healthcare uncertainty will eventually need an answer that isn't a photograph of three Democrats standing very constructively next to one another.

You cannot pay an electricity bill with improved interbranch chemistry. The utility will admire the chemistry and charge the late fee.

There are ideas. The leaders have signaled interest in a Fair Share tax on large corporations whose low-paid workers qualify for public benefits. They're waiting for a finance department report due in March before making a concrete proposal. Becerra also campaigned on two free off-peak electricity hours for low-income households; legislative leaders are more cautious about that one.

So this isn't an empty cupboard. It's a cupboard everyone agrees they should open collaboratively, after the cupboard report.

Less deadline ambush, more cooperation: yes, please. But once the handshakes are over, someone needs to put an actual policy on the table.

Preferably before the table qualifies for historic preservation.